Mixed views one month on from LTN removal

A low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) was removed from Jesmond in February

Residents have conflicting views about life in a city suburb a month after the removal of a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN).

The LTN was removed from Jesmond, in Newcastle, on 5 February.

The local authority decided to ditch the scheme, citing pressures faced by local businesses and increased traffic on some roads.

But while many people living there are happy about the changes, others say that cycling in the region now feels more “dangerous”.

Bollards were installed in Jesmond in March last year, blocking traffic on some streets between Cradlewell and Osborne Road.

The trial was due to last until September 2024, but following backlash, the traffic reduction measures were removed in February.

Improved well-being

A month on from the LTN’s removal, some residents say it is now far easier to drive around Jesmond.

Bethany Deadman, whose daily commute requires her to go through where the LTN used to be, said her journey to work took between 15 to 20 minutes.

During the trial, it took 35 to 45 minutes.

She said trying to get through the Osborne Road/Jesmond Road intersection during the rush hour had been an “utter nightmare”.

“My mental well-being has vastly improved with the removal of the LTN,” she said.

Joanne Moffett said she could now drop her daughter at her school in Jesmond “with ease”.

Lyndon Sheppard is a member of the residents' group OneJesmond, which was a vocal opponent of the LTN.

He said that the removal of the LTN had not resulted in any major changes to traffic.

As a cyclist, he also said the LTN removal had not made him feel any less safe on Jesmond’s roads.

'Dangerous'

Ian Neslon, however, regularly travels through the area where the LTN used to be.

He said that during school pick-up times, many of the roads in Jesmond were now “rammed”, whereas during the LTN trial, Osborne Avenue was “very quiet”.

“The rest of the time, taxis and vans drive at excessive speed on their way between the Coast Road and Osborne Road,” he added.

Mr Neslon also said that cycling on Osborne Avenue felt a lot more “dangerous” ever since the removal of the LTN.

A mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said that during the LTN trial her six-year-old son was able to safely cycle from Gosforth to Jesmond Dene with his grandfather.

The LTN opened up the route for family leisure, she said.

"My son could not cycle that route now," she said.

Newcastle City Council's Marion Williams said the Labour-led local authority remains “committed to improving the way" people move around the city

“When we removed the measures in Jesmond, we set out our commitment to working with local people to develop and engage on new proposals for the area,” she added.

“This work is ongoing and we have written to people to set out next steps in the process and invite their feedback.”